On the 12th of January, 1780, Abigail Adams wrote to her son, John Quincy Adams, regarding his travel with his father, John Adams. She stresses that she sent him off to France with his father and brother because she believes it is best for him to become a developed individual. In this letter, Abigail Adams utilizes pathos, archaic diction, and allusion to inspire her son, John Quincy Adams, to take advantage of the opportunities given to him while traveling with his father, and to use these opportunities to become a more mature man.

Adams encourages her son to be faithful and hardworking on his long journey ahead by appealing to his mother-son affection for her. She begins the letter by stating “MY DEAR SON,” a tone which establishes that she is trying to guide him, rather than reprimand him. In the first paragraph of the letter, she states that “[She hopes he has] had no occasion, either from enemies or the dangers of the sea, to repent [his] second voyage to France.” By stating that she is taking immeasurable concern with her son’s safety, she further appeals to his emotions, with the belief that this would make him more welcoming towards her advice. She compliments his language skills, whilst emphasizing that “As [he increases] in years, [he] will find [himself] understanding opening and daily improving,” justifying her claim in line 16 by describing her meeting with an author. By doing so, she establishes the “Older-Younger” sense of advice offering. In other words, that since she has had more life experience, he must be receptive towards her words. Later, by stating that “[His] improvement should bear some proportion to [his] advantages” since “[He is] favored with superior advantages under the instructive eye of a tender parent,” Abigail Adams further asserts the idea that he must give effort and must be diligent in his work during the journey, so as for him to become more mature.

Abigail’s confidence in and praise for her son’s language skills is not only stated explicitly in the first 3 paragraphs, but is also implicitly stated by her usage of archaic diction throughout the letter. A prime example is in lines 43-49 where she writes, “Yet it is your lot, my son, to be an eyewitness of these calamities in your own native land, and at the same time, to owe your existence amongst a people … and who, aided by a generous and powerful ally, with the blessing of Heaven, will transmit this inheritance to ages yet unborn.” This “Inheritance” she references is when certain qualities “Wake into life and form the character of the hero and the statesman.” This portrays to John Quincy, that her mother must perceive his language skill to be of a high level, because she wrote to him in an antiquated diction which would befuddle a normal human mind. Thus stressing John’s talent, “[His knowledge of the language]” which “Must give [him] greater advantages now than [he] could possibly have reaped whilst ignorant of it.” Stressing his talent also places an increased burden on his shoulders that “As [he is] favored with superior advantages under the instructive eye of a tender parent, [his] improvement should bear some proportion to [his] advantages.”

Lastly, Abigail Adams uses historical allusions within paragraph 4 to instill a sense of responsibility and patriotism into her son. In line 27 she implies that he is “A genius” who at times “Would wish to live,” and later utilizes a historical allusion in the form of a rhetorical question writing to affirm her implication, “Would Cicero have shone so distinguished an orator if he had not been roused, kindled, and inflamed by the tyranny of Catiline, Verres, and Mark Anthony?” This instills the sense of responsibility into the son, that since he is of an intelligence caliber similar to Cicero, he must bear through the struggles to be “Roused, kindled, and inflamed,” and become a truly great mind. Furthermore, she references the American revolution, emphasizing that the “War, tyranny, and desolation” are what her son should view, “And, at the same time, to owe [his] existence among a people who have made a glorious defence of their invaded liberties.” Thus, Abigail Adam’s instills a sense of patriotism into John Quincy. By making John Quincy feel the responsibility and the patriotism upon his shoulders, Abigail Adams hopes to instigate him into action.

1780 was a period of uncertainty in American history. Abigail Adams was unaware that soon the Americans would emerge victorious and would establish the United States of America. She was unaware that her very own husband and son would be major factors in the soon to be found country. During this period of ambiguity, she wrote to John Quincy Adams, her son, and used a variety of devices: pathos, archaic diction, and allusion, in the hopes of developing him into the vision of a strong man. By doing so, she believed that her son would be her contribution to her beloved homeland, America.